The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought response from two advocates, representing the December 16 gang rape convicts, against whom a women lawyers’ body has sought action for allegedly making derogatory remarks against women in BBC documentary India’s Daughter on the case.
“We have heard the argument, pleadings and grievances urged in the petition. The matter requires consideration in view of the factual and legal submissions,” a bench comprising justices V. Gopala Gowda and C. Nagappan said.
The bench issued notices to the two advocates, M.L. Sharma and A.P. Singh, and sought their response in two weeks.
The Supreme Court Women Lawyers’ Association, in its petition, had sought restriction on the entry of the two advocates in the apex court premises, alleging that their remarks in the documentary were “inhumane, scandalous, unjustifiable, biased, outrageous, ill-minded” and are a “direct affront to and in violation of the dignity of women”, especially those practicing in the Supreme court.
Senior advocate Vibha Datta Makhija, appearing for the women’s association, submitted that the Supreme Court has to lead from the front and show zero tolerance for such views.
“We need an environment where we are fearless,” she said.
The petition, filed through advocate Mahalakshmi Pavani, has made chairperson of gender sensitisation committee and registrar of the apex court as parties and submitted a transcript of the two lawyers’ comments.
